Big shop chains spark mini-revival in heart of Acomb (From York Press)

Big shop chains spark mini-revival in heart of Acomb

8:20am Friday 29th December 2006 in

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SMALL businesses closing down and shops being boarded up was an all too common occurrence in west York earlier this year.

But now retail property experts have revealed the historic shopping arcade in the heart of Acomb is experiencing something of a "mini-revival".

Andrew Hedley, of retail property agent Blacks, said the Front Street area had become popular with bigger chains because of the number of people living in the suburb.

Fulton's Frozen Foods recently moved into an empty unit in the arcade, while Thomas The Baker now occupies a double unit in Front Street, which is both a bakery and a café.

Mr Hedley said an unnamed business had also put an offer in for the lease on the large former 3As cycle shop building, next to Halifax Building Society, which has been empty for more than nine months.

There is also "considerable interest" in the now empty former Dewhurst butcher's shop unit.

The Press reported earlier this year that the 50-year-old business closed down after the chain which owns it closed 60 of its 95 outlets and was placed in the hands of the administrators.

The shop was a prominent feature of the Acomb shopping parade, which has also seen the closure of two other butchers in the past two years.

They blamed nearby competition from Morrison's supermarket for the closure.

Mr Hedley said retail interest in Acomb was now extremely healthy.

"It has had some bad times, but they are gone now," he said.

"What the big boys like about Acomb is the number of chimney pots there. Acomb is the only suburb of York that has a proper shopping area. It is bound to attract attention."

Paul Cunniff, owner of Acomb Music, in Front Street, who is chairman of the York branch of the Federation of Small Businesses, said he was "heartened" by the amount of retail interest in Acomb, but remained concerned big chains were swamping the area.

"This is a step in the right direction in that properties are not being left empty, but I do feel that more diversity is required," he said.

"Acomb needs more boutiques and clothing shops because it's losing that sense of diversity.

"There are too many fast food outlets."